Toy container



1957 J. R. FERGUSON TOY CONTAINER Filed April 15, 1964 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. JOHN ROBERT FERGUSON United States Patent 3,300,040 TOY CONTAINER John Robert Ferguson, 104 Orchard Ave., Belle Vernon, Pa. 15012 Filed Apr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 359,044 1 Claim. (Cl. 20646) This invention relates to a novel combined container and molding device which is shaped to resemble a toy animal, bird, etc. In addition, the container serves the purpose of an amusement and toy device. As a container, the device is suitable for containing salable goods such as candy, soap, etc.

A better understanding of the invention will be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the container device in the form of a toy rabbit;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal section along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 2a is a fragmentary section similar to FIG- URE 2 showing a variation of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the toy rabbit.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the numeral generally designates a toy rabbit container comprised of two sections 11 and 12. The container is molded from a transparent material such as glass or a plastic material. The outer surface 13 of the container is relatively smooth and generally is in the shape of the rabbit. The inner surface contains design configurations 14 which define the more intricate design of the body of the rabbit, e.g. the fur.

Each section of the rabbit contains a flange member 15 and 16 respectively. Flange 15 contains a plurality of tongue members 17 adapted -to be inserted in respective grooves 18 of flange 16. Flange 15 is adapted to fit snugly within flange 16, whereby the two sections of the rabbit may be united. Section 12 contains a flat bottom portion 19 which comprises two rounded elongated sections 20 to provide stability to the rabbit when it rests on a surface. Section 11 also contains a flat bottom portion 21 adapted to form a container bottom with portion 19.

The rabbit container may be filled with a moldable material 22 (FIGURE 2) such as candy, soap, gelatin, etc. This may be accomplished by providing a pour-hole (not shown) at some point on the surface of the container when the sections are together. The material may also be poured into each of the separated sections 11 and 12, and after the material becomes somewhat solidified, the two sections are fitted together. In this manner, the container may be filled completely as is shown in FIGURE 2. However, if desired, as shown in FIGURE 2a, a thin layer of material 23 may be applied to each section of the container with the aid of a core mold. A hollow rabbit is thereby obtained, giving the appearance of a solid one when the two sections are fitted together.

The container described above may be used as a pack- C&

aging device for salable materials such as soap, candy, etc., and sold directly to consumers. The material within the container is thereby kept in a sanitary condition. The container may be used as a toy or in a decorative manner until it is desired to use the contents thereof. At that time, it is only necessary to open the two sections of the container and remove the contents. Once the contents are removed, the two sections may be again fitted together and further used as an attractive toy, etc.

Furthermore, after the contents of the container have been removed, one may again mold other materials in the same manner. Thus, one could mold candy figures by melting blocks of chocolate and pouring the melted chocolate into the respective sections of the container as heretofore described.

Since the container is transparent, the molded material and its color show through. Due to the design configurations 14 on the inner surfaces of the container, the design is also imprinted on the molded material and the resulting figure has a pleasing, life-like appearance.

Although one specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Thus, more than two sections could comprise the container. The particular means described to fit the sections together could be other means than tongue and groove members. Furthermore, the container could be formed in the shape of many other types of objects than the toy rabbit, such as other animals, valentines, Easter eggs, etc.

I claim:

A combined molding and container device formed to resemble a figure and capable of being used as a toy, comprising two transparent mating sections having relatively smooth outer surfaces and having the over-all configuration of the shape of said figure when fitted together, each of said sections containing a flange member around its periphery, means disposed on said flange members adapted to secure said sections together, the inner surfaces of said sections formed with integral intricate design configurations which define the more intricate design of said figure, and a colored material molded on said inner surface and removably contained and viewable within said device having the over-all shape of the figure and having said design configurations imprinted on its surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,991,649 2/1935 Barber 224-8 X 2,165,474 7/1939 Greneker 2298 2,698,248 12/ 1954 Peters 20646 2,859,152 11/1958 Markus.

2,899,097 8/1959 Haskins 220-4 2,950,813 8/1960 Koones 20663.2 3,149,188 9/1964 Schmitt 20656 X LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

THERON E. CONDON, GEORGE E. LOWRANCE,

Examiners.

Patented Jan. 24, 1967 

